Overview & Reviews

Chrysler is generally considered part of the Big Three, a title that refers to the traditional triumvirate of domestic automakers. The current accuracy of this classification is open for debate, but there's no debating the fact that Chrysler has experienced a revival of sorts over the past few years.

Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions.

The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the Airflow was a flop with the public. Chrysler was able to survive the lean years of the Depression thanks to strong sales of its entry-level Dodge and Plymouth brands, whose vehicles boasted more traditional designs and much lower price tags.

Chrysler shined postwar. For a period in the late 1940s, it even surpassed Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker. The company's storied "Hemi" V8 engine debuted in 1951. Offering 180 horsepower, it was a significant improvement over Chrysler's previous 135-hp V8. The Hemi engine was meant to trounce the V8 offered by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival, and it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the 1950s and '60s. The '50s also saw the debut of treasured Chrysler classics like the handsome Town and Country and the sleek 300C.

By 1961, Chrysler had trimmed its line of brands by dropping the DeSoto nameplate. New technologies were also afoot, such as unibody construction (Chrysler was the first of the Big Three to introduce it) and the replacement of generators with alternators for a car's charging system. In the latter half of the '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.

At the same time, however, dark clouds were gathering. As with other domestic automakers, the 1970s proved to be a difficult decade due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes. A costly and ineffective overseas expansion further hurt the company's bottom line. By the late '70s, the company was in such financial disarray that it petitioned the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to save it from bankruptcy.

Thanks to impressive public campaigning by then-chairman Lee Iacocca, the debut of the well-received K-car platform and the creation of the modern minivan, sales had improved dramatically by the mid-'80s. The government's loan was paid off seven years early. The picture further brightened in the late 1980s with Chrysler's purchase of American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors.

Success continued through the early 1990s. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. At the time, this deal was presented as a merger of equals. But it quickly became apparent that it was more of a purchase, with Daimler being the dominant partner.

Less than a decade later, that merger was no longer, as Daimler sold Chrysler (and Dodge) to a private equity firm in 2007. However, that merger had borne some worthwhile fruit, most notably in the form of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. The latter shared some chassis components with an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform.

As such, the 300 was a highlight for Chrysler that had a pleasingly solid feel to its driving dynamics that was further sweetened via an available powerful V8 engine. But soon after the split, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy and the federal government intervened with bailout loans. Eventually Chrysler came under control of Italy's Fiat.

Today, the lineup has been pared down to a pair of sedans, a convertible and a minivan. However, after years of having lackluster entries in the very important midsize car category, Chrysler made major improvements in the performance, design and quality of its midsize sedan entry, the 200. The latest 300 also stands as a prime choice for a premium full-size sedan. Still, it remains to be seen as to whether this and future product releases will be enough to restore the company to its former glory.

User Reviews:

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  fun to drive - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By lew - November 17 - 2:19 pm

  with the turbo acceleration is QUICK !!! gas mileage is ok, handling and manueverability is very good, spacious interior. visibility is good. used prices are very fair for these vehicles and i wouldnt be scared of high mileage pts if they have been maintained.

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  Hope youre a shade tree mechanic - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dadto5 - November 16 - 10:00 am

  Bought with 57,000. In the 57,000 miles since: new elec cooling fan $600 dealership ($90 rock auto), fog lights wont turn off (pulled fuse), front window switch failed ($45 ebay), brakes 3 times (only $65 done myself), whole new front suspension $575, new transmission @ 110,000 miles $1700. Timing chain will need done by 117,000 or the engine will fail $475, new water pump ($65 done myself), chrome alloy rims look great but bend easily. I dont expect a car with 114,000 to be free to operate. But everyone Ive talked to cant believe my transmission lasted that long. Front suspension needs work every 30,000 miles. Arm rest are to low to be useful. 16-19 mpg, but Im used to 10 in my truck

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  Nice... I wonder what will break next? - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By J. Campbell - November 16 - 3:10 am

  First, Id like to say that In general I like the fit and finsh, styling, ride, comfort, features, etc. of this vehicle. Unfortunately, this thing has had more warranty issues and recalls than ALL of the other vehicles that I have owned COMBINED. Here is a brief list of SOME of the things that have required attention: Rear liquid-filled engine mount- split open and fluid leaked out. Fuel guage- would drop to empty for no reason,then return. EGR valve blew apart and created an exhaust leak. PCM wiring harness- recall. DVD screen- replaced due to bad pixels. A/C control panel-replaced. Dual Zone Climate Control- Temperature on right/left side 5 Deg. different when set @ the same temperature...

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  Bad Rap! - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By jlvl - November 16 - 2:00 am

  In my opinion this car has gotten a bad rap giving it a reputation it doesnt deserve. Ive had mine for 3 years (bought with 27k miles)and have had little trouble of any kind-one recall item which took the dealer two times to fix: not the cars fault. Ive added another 30k. Its a plush, cavernous, comortable, surprisingly powerful and economical sport sedan. If I was concerned about the depreciation I wouldnt buy this one or any American car new. But Id buy another one used in a heart-beat. Its much more car than any (Buick/Olds/Pontiac) comparable GM models.

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  CAPT JACKS 300M - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By CAPT JACK - November 14 - 2:00 am

  GREAT CAR,DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR,FEATURE FOR FEATURE ONE OF THE BEST VALUES OUT THERE. FIT & FINISH COULD BE BETTER,NOT QUITE AS GOOD AS THE IMPORTS.

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  Well Priced Luxury - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By New Birdman - November 13 - 2:00 am

  I had been driving Intrepids for the last 6 years and considered a 300M when I bought the new 2000. Went with the LHS because of the room--plenty inside and a cavernous trunk. Nice interior touches that create a more elegant look. Very comfortable ride without being too boaty. Power is good. Shifts smoothly. I put about 24K miles a year on it and have had no problems.

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  Great Value on a Great Car! - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By Anthony - November 12 - 9:41 pm

  Although I have owned my 2016 Chrysler 200S V6 AWD for 2 weeks and have a little under 400 miles on the odometer I can say with certainty that I absolutely love this car. Due to my job and being in the North East I needed an AWD vehicle and this Chrysler more than fits the bill. It has a nice and aggressive exterior design and the interior is absolutely fantastic. The front seats are comfortable and supportive while the controls are within easy reach. I purchased mine fully load with every option available. Heated and ventilated leather front seats, heated steering wheel, blind spot detection, navigation, panoramic moon roof, alloy wheels, rear seat vents and auto start. I traded my Honda Accord Sport for my 2016 Chrysler 200S and have been smiling ear to ear since. Previous to the Honda Accord Sport I owned a Mitsubishi Lance Ralliart that had a turbo charged 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine yet my Chrysler 200S performs almost as well. Bare in mind that the Ralliart was a sports car and the Chrysler is a family sedan yet the 295 horsepower V6 has plenty of power when needed and the Sport mode will push you back into your seat if you get hard on the gas. 0-60 in about 5.8 seconds is plenty quick for me especially when my Ralliart went 0-60 in 5.5 seconds. Its basically an AWD family sedan muscle car that has a sweet sounding exhaust. I will say that this car is by no means perfect. The 9 speed automatic transmission can be a bit clunky at times, the stock tires are terrible and rear seat headroom is an issue if you have passengers over 6 feet tall riding in the back. Im not in love with the braking either as the car is heavy but it my opinion the braking should be more responsive. Perhaps I just need to get used to it. However, when you take over $10,000 in incentives into consideration and can buy a car like this for under $30K its an absolute no brainer. 3 years 36,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty and 5 years 60,000 miles on the powertrain. If youre like me and are looking for an AWD vehicle that has sharp looks, plenty of cargo room, have little ones and want a vehicle that can get you from 0-60 in less than 6 seconds look no further than the Chrysler 200S AWD V6. Its being discontinued so get one while you can before its too late.

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  The best car built in america today. - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By bigdad - November 12 - 6:26 pm

  I have the 2006 black SRT-8 with dark tint and chrome exterior aftermarket parts everywhere, and it looks incredible. I cant drive it without attracting looks and questions. I have installed the jet stage one module and a K&N cold air induction and let me tell you this makes a world of difference. I traded a 2001 trans am WS6 on the SRT and havent regretted it for a second. The SRT is quicker and faster and looks and drives better and I can take my family along for the fun.

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  Sebring as reliable as ever - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By slider5 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Works great. Good performance.

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  CRUISIN! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Amy Lane - November 12 - 2:00 am

  The best part about the PT Cruiser is the nostalgic quality, with the blend of progressive design. Its a fun mobile! Definitely retro. Awesome car for the money.